1. Statement of Alain L. Kornhauser, PhD NJ Historic Sites Council April 19, 2012 Trenton, NJ

2. I want to cover three points: Walk Accessibility, The 1984 contract’s role in preserving rail passenger service, and The important role of the easement in the continued preservation of rail service.

3. Walk Accessibility Transportation is a derived demand – For each trip: Individuals make rational choices as to what mode (car, train, bus, bike, etc.) to take – Level-of-service dominates the choice process Automobile usually wins: While rail transit is arguably as fast, comfortable and cheap as a car it has a chance of winning only if its stations are close (a short walk) from where people are coming from and going to. Short walk rule of thumb: – < 10 minutes (1/2 mile) slight chance – < 5minutes (1/4 mile) good chance – Consequently no architect, planner or transportation professional would ever propose to move a rail station away from where people want to come from and go to.

4. The 1984 contract’s role in preserving rail passenger service Rapid rise of the Automobile post WWII placed enormous pressure on the economic and social viability of rail transportion By the mid 70’s essentially all freight and passenger RRs in the Northeast were hopelessly bankrupt Core of the system saved by: – Freight and National Passenger: Feds created ConRail and Amtrak – Commuter: NJ created NJ Transit – Princeton Branch NJ Transit “privatized” assets (sold land to Princeton University) – “1984 contract”

5. The 1984 contract’s role in preserving rail passenger service (cont)

6. The important role of the easement in the continued preservation of rail service